Electric switch actuating mechanism



Sept 10, 1935. w. WILLIAMSON 2,014,217

ELECTRIC SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 8, 1954 Parental sept, 1o, 193s ELECTRIC SWITCH ACTUATNG MECHANISM William Williamson, Valley Stream, N. Y. ApplicationNovember 8, 1934. Serial No. 752,049

4 Claims. (Cl. 2405123) This invention relates to improvements in electric switch operating mechanisms.

One of the several objects of the invention resides in an operating mechanism for electric switches of the pull chain type which imparts an even pull upon the pull chain to on and off positions irrespective of the manual force applied to actuate the same, thus eliminating the possibility of breaking the pull chain due to excessive force, and the danger of upsetting a table lamp or other unstable electric device with which the switch may be associated.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a turnable actuating mechanism for electric pull chain switches which is more easily grasped for imparting a pull upon the pull chain than the annoyance of reaching for the pull chain for actuation direct, and which is also more easily accessible in the dark or dimly lighted room.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an electric pull switch actuating mechanism which is especially adapted for use upon tables or floor lamps, and which lends attractiveness thereto so as not to detract from the decorativel or artistic appearance of the lamp.

A still further object is the provision of an electric pull switch actuating mechanism which is simple and inexpensive of manufacture, and of such novel construction as to assure positive operation on each actuation thereof.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the certain novel construction, combination and ,arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are hereinafter fully described, are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a front elevational view of a table lamp illustrating my invention in use thereon.

Figure 2 is a side elevational View with the electric lamp and shade removed.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, but showing in dotted lines the position of the actuating mechanism when exerting a pull upon the pull chain.

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view on the line 4--4 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, the numeral I0 designates the base of an electric lamp of the table type, from which a pedestal or standard II rises, the top of the pedestal supporting an electric lamp socket switch I2 of conventional construction, and which includes a exible pull chain I3 by which the switch mechanism may be actuated to on and oil positions. The electric lamp socket switch I2 receives the conventional electric lamp I4, the light from which is shielded by a lamp shade I5.

Rotatably mounted upon a screw I6 which is 5 threaded transversely into the pedestal II is a rotatable manipulating member I'I, which in the present instance is shown in the shape of a ships wheel, and includes a hub I8 through which the unthreaded portion of the screw I6 passes, radially extending spokes i9, and an annular felly from which hand grips 2i radially extend. The shank of the screw I6 acts as a shaft on which the wheel I'I is rotatably mounted while the `head of the screw I6 is countersunk within the hub 15 I8 and is concealed by a cover plate 22 in which a luminous jewel 23 is mounted. This luminous jewel actsv as a guide and facilitates the finding of the actuating member I1 in the dark.V 20

Fixed to the inner side of the hub I8 by a screw 24 is an eccentric 25, the said eccentric having an eccentrically located opening 26 through'which the screw I6 freely passes. The periphery of the eccentric disk is grooved as at 21 and seated in the groove is an eccentric vband 28 which is free relative to the walls of the groove. The eccentric band is seated in position by forming the eccentric disk 25 of two sections held together by the screw v2li.

Extending outwardly from the eccentric band 28, is a pull chain connector 29 which is in the form of a radially extending post having a seat 30 in the outer end thereof for the reception of the lowermost bead of the beaded chain I3.

The beaded pull chain I3 is of such a length that when the eccentric 25 is at its uppermost position, the said chain contains a limited amount of slack, but as the eccentric turns in either direction, the pull is exerted upon the pull chain I3, taking up the slack, and as the eccentric reaches itsl lowermost position, the final pull is exerted upon the chain sufficient to actuate the switch mechanism within the switch socket I2 to either on or oli position.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the manipulating member I`I in the form of a wheel may be manually grasped by an operator, and upon turning movement of the wheel the complete revolution, the switch may be turned from an off to an on position or vice versa. The eccentric 25 being xedly connected to the rotatable actuating member moves therewith relative to the eccentric ring 28 and the said eccentric imparts the pull to the chain through the eccentric ring as clearly shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 of the drawing.

By reason of the construction herein set forth an even pull may be exerted upon the pull chain of the lamp regardless of the torce imparted to rotate the manipulating member I1. thus the possibility of breaking the pull chain is eliminated and furthermore, the actuating mechanism prevents the pull chain from snapping upward and becoming entangled or twisted with the lamp support or lamp shade. The actuating mechanism herein set forth also reduces the danger of upsetting the lamp which sometimes occurs when the pull chain is directly actuated.

While I have shown and described what I consider to be the most practical embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that such changes as come within the scope o1' the appended claims may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:-

l. In combination, an electric lamp having an electric lamp socket switch of the pull chain type, an eccentric to which the pull chain of said socket switch is connected, and rotative manipulating means for imparting a turning movement to said eccentric for exerting a pull upon said pull chain to turn said socket switch on and "05.

2. In combination, an electric lamp having a pedestal and a pull chain switch socket at the top thereof, an actuating member rotatably supported 5 upon said pedestal, and an eccentric xed to said actuating member to which the free end of the pull chain is operatively connected.

3. An electric pull chain switch actuating mech-- Y anism comprising a shaft adapted to be xed to a 10 support, a manipulating wheel rotatably mounted on said shaft, an eccentric disk xed to one side of said wheel and having an opening therein for the passage of said shaft, an eccentric band freely mounted upon the periphery of said eccentric disk, 15

nected.

WILLIAM WILLIAMSON. 

